By Alex Tsado
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised the specter of a potential strike, urging the Federal Government to address its longstanding demands. The ASUU Coordinator for the Kano Zone, Mr. Abdulqadir Muhammad, highlighted critical issues during a press conference, emphasizing the urgent need for the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement due to significant changes in the exchange rate.
Mr. Muhammad expressed frustration over the government’s delay in signing the draft agreement reached with the union, despite the formation of a new negotiation committee. He called on President Bola Tinubu to initiate the review and signing of the Nimi Briggs Committee’s renegotiated draft agreement to avert an industrial crisis.
The union also demanded the full payment of seven withheld salaries for its members and called on the Kaduna State Government to settle the five-month salary arrears owed to staff at Kaduna State University. ASUU reiterated its call for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, resolution of promotion arrears, and criticized the dissolution of Governing Councils of public universities.
In a broader context, ASUU addressed national concerns, including insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and the rising cost of living, urging media, civil society, labor, and student groups to support its efforts. The union called for the faithful implementation of agreements signed with the government through collective bargaining.
